Astros report: Club ends tandem-starter experiment at AAA

Share this:

NEW YORK — The Astros’ tandem-starter experiment at Class AAA Oklahoma City has quietly ended.

With former RedHawks starting pitchers Paul Clemens and Jose Cisnero on the Astros’ 25-man roster and OKC starter John Ely out for the year after Tommy John surgery, the Astros’ effort to use “piggyback” duos at Class AAA didn’t make it past late April.

The Astros continue to use tandem starters at Class A and AA, though, and the organization never intended to use tandem starters at any level throughout the 2013 season.

OKC starters Brett Oberholtzer and Dallas Keuchel briefly spent time with the Astros, while injuries to reliever Josh Fields and starter/long reliever Alex White limited the Astros’ major league bullpen options.

Heading into a three-game series against the Yankees, three Astros starters (Philip Humber, Erik Bedard, Brad Peacock) were struggling to make it past the fifth inning. Manager Bo Porter said several times changes would be made to the rotation if his team’s pitchers couldn’t successfully extend their outings.

“We won’t (continue). It’s either these guys are going to get it done, or we’re going to find five that will get it done,” Porter said.

Peacock was moved to the bullpen Monday. On Wednesday, the Astros will name their starter for Thursday’s game against Detroit at Minute Maid Park.

Pena showing signs of life

Designated hitter/first baseman Carlos Pena entered Tuesday hitting just .216 and had struck out 29 times in 88 at-bats. Pena was 4-for-his-last-8, though, and he’d recorded three walks in his last three games. The 13-year veteran had reached base safely in 16 of 19 contests and was tied for third in MLB in walks (14) since April 9.

“He’s been outstanding,” manager Bo Porter said before Tuesday’s game. “It goes back to when guys are not playing their best baseball and you start to see signs of them coming out of it.”
Prior to Tuesday, Pena was hitting only .182 during the last week. He acknowledged his overall numbers still aren’t where he wants them to be.

“I never want to say I’ve found it, because it’s always a process,” Pena said.

Corporan’s speed not an issue

A day after dealing with a left-leg cramp during a 4-for-5, four-RBI performance, Astros reserve catcher Carlos Corporan wore a large bandage on his leg and wasn’t 100 percent.
Corporan was available for game action. But he informed manger Bo Porter he wouldn’t be able to run very fast.

Two national media reports Tuesday addressed the Astros’ instructing their minor league players not to swing at 3-2 pitches. Astros general manager Jeff Luhnow denied the use of the theory — which places emphasis upon walks and on-base percentage — in both stories. … Outfielder J.D. Martinez began an injury rehab stint at Class AA Corpus Christi.